Desert Biology: Special Topics on the Physical and Biological Aspects of Arid Regions, Volume II records the conditions and life in the arid regions of the world.
This book discusses the hydrogeology of arid regions, desert soil surfaces and classes, and physical and vegetational aspects of the Sahara Desert. The Piman Indians of the Sonoran Desert, approach to the water relations of desert plants, desert arthropods, and aquatic environments of deserts are also considered.
Other topics include the artificial changes in the hydrogeology of deserts, soils of individual world deserts, rainfall and water supply of desert plants, and ecological plant types in arid regions. The hydrature in true xerophytes, chloride accumulation in halophytes, and biological response to desert water conditions are likewise covered in this publication.
This volume is recommended for researchers and specialists interested in the hot, dry regions of the planet.

List of ContributorsPrefaceContents of Volume IChapter I. Hydrogeology of Arid Regions I. Introduction II. Laws of Groundwater Motion III. Applications of Flow Equations IV. Groundwater Recharge V. Circulation of Groundwater VI. Groundwater Discharge VII. Water Quality VIII. Large-Scale Groundwater Circulation IX. Artificial Changes in the Hydrogeology of Deserts ReferencesChapter II. Desert Soils I. Introduction II. Desert Soil Surfaces and Classes III. Characteristic Desert Subsurface Horizons IV. Desert Soil Suborders and Great Groups V. Physical Desert Surfaces VI. Accumulations in Desert Soils VII. Desert Soils as a Medium for Plants VIII. Desert Soils and Microorganisms IX. Soils of Individual World Deserts X. Concluding Statement ReferencesChapter III. Physical and Vegetational Aspects of the Sahara Desert I. Introduction II. Physical Environment of the Sahara Desert III. Vegetation in the Sahara Desert ReferencesChapter IV. Desert Algae, Lichens, and Fungi I. Desert Algae II. Desert Lichens III. Desert Fungi IV. Addendum ReferencesChapter V. A New Approach to the Water Relations of Desert Plants I. Introduction II. Rainfall and Water Supply of Desert Plants III. "Diffuse" and "Contracted" Vegetation IV. The Significance of Soil Texture for the Water Supply of Desert Plants V. Distinctive Features of Deserts VI. Hydration of Protoplasm and Osmotic Potential VII. Plant Hydrature and Environmental Water Conditions VIII. Diurnal Fluctuation of the Osmotic Potential (?8) IX. Annual Variations of the Osmotic Potential (?8) X. The Ecological Types of Desert Plants XI. Osmotic Quantities and Importance of Hydrature for Growth and Xeromorphism XII. Osmotic Potential (?8), Growth, and Production of Organic Matter XIII. The Relation Between the Osmotic Potential (?8) and the Anatomical and Morphological Characteristics of Plants XIV. The Ecological Plant Types in Arid Regions XV. Hydrature in True Xerophytes XVI. The Hydrature of Succulents XVII. Saline Soils in Arid Regions XVIII. Halophytes and Salt Uptake XIX. The Effects of Ions on Protoplasm XX. Chloride Accumulation in Halophytes XXI. Types of Halophytes ReferencesChapter VI. Desert Arthropods I. Introduction II. The Insect Organization III. Water Balance IV. Tolerance of Water Depletion and of High Temperatures V. Body Temperature in the Field VI. Morphological Adaptations, Including Surface Color VII. Phenology and Behavior VIII. Conclusion IX. Summary ReferencesChapter VII. Desert Fishes I. Introduction II. Aquatic Environments of Deserts III. General Ecology IV. Biological Response to Desert Water Conditions Addendum ReferencesChapter VIII. Man in Arid Lands: The Piman Indians of the Sonoran Desert I. Man in the Desert II. The Sonoran Desert Setting III. Piman Indians IV. Conclusions ReferencesChapter IX. Man in Arid Lands: North From Jiddah Jiddah Outside Medina In Camp In Camp Zummurrud Mada' in Salih Notes on the NabateansAuthor IndexSubject IndexSystematic Index